I'm relatively new to PC gaming and I'm facing a big issue. Whenever I launch games, my Intel Core i5-14500 CPU spikes to an alarming 104°C, as shown on HWiNFO, and then my computer restarts during the transition to full screen. This happens with both light and heavy games. My setup is about a year old and includes an RTX 4070 Ti GPU, an MSI PRO B760M-A motherboard, and I'm currently using the stock cooler. My case supports up to a 360mm radiator. I'm considering upgrading to either a high-end air cooler like the Thermalright Phantom Spirit or a 360mm AIO like the Arctic Liquid Freezer III. What do you think would be the best option?
3 Answers
Honestly, either type will work well if installed properly. An air cooler is simpler for beginners, while an AIO offers better performance but is a bit more complex. If you’re looking for straightforward installation, a high-quality air cooler will do the job. Just remember to replace the thermal paste if you go that route!
First, make sure there's no protective film on the cooler because that can lead to overheating too. If that's all good, I recommend a decent air cooler over the stock one, something like a Thermalright Peerless Assassin. It's budget-friendly and gives you great cooling without the hassle of an AIO installation.
Yeah, those stock coolers are notorious for being ineffective. An air cooler would definitely improve your temperatures.
Replacing thermal paste is crucial. If you haven’t done that yet or if the cooler is still stock, definitely do that first. If after repasting it’s still overheating, then look into upgrading to something better, because the Intel stock cooler just isn’t cutting it!
Great point! I was worried about the install process with an AIO.